Unwrapped Food

Spicy Soy Beef Bun

Honor

5060202933358

Processing

4

Ultra-processed

Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale

Additives listed

13

0 we grade moderate or higher

9 of them not yet assessed here

Fat per 100g

11.80g

Medium

UK FSA front of pack threshold

Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.

Additives (13)

This label lists 4 flavour enhancers, 2 colours, 2 preservatives, 2 raising agents, 1 acidity regulator, 1 antioxidant and 1 sweetener.

E202 Potassium sorbate
Preservative Low moderate evidence

What it is. The potassium salt of sorbic acid, which stops mould and yeast growth.

Why it is used. Used in cheese, baked goods, dried fruit, wine and dressings.

What the evidence says. Widely used and long regarded as one of the gentler preservatives. EFSA's 2015 re-evaluation lowered the acceptable daily intake and noted gaps in the genotoxicity data, asking for more work, while finding no evidence of harm at the levels actually used.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted with maximum levels. EFSA has asked for further data rather than restricted it.

Assessed against EFSA. Full entry for E202

E211 Sodium benzoate
Preservative Low moderate evidence

What it is. A preservative that stops yeasts, moulds and some bacteria growing in acidic foods.

Why it is used. Used in soft drinks, sauces, pickles and dressings.

What the evidence says. EFSA re-evaluated it in 2016 and kept an acceptable daily intake, with normal exposure below it. The known issue is specific: in acidic drinks that also contain vitamin C, benzoate can form small amounts of benzene, so manufacturers reformulated to avoid the combination. It was also present in the drink mixes used in the Southampton hyperactivity study, though the warning requirement that followed applies to the colours rather than to benzoate.

Regulatory status UK Permitted with limits or a warning EU Permitted with limits or a warning US Permitted with limits or a warning

Permitted with maximum levels in the foods where it is allowed.

Assessed against EFSA, UK FSA. Full entry for E211

E955 Sucralose
Artificial sweetener Low moderate evidence

What it is. An intense sweetener made from sugar, around 600 times sweeter, so it is used in very small amounts.

Why it is used. Sweetens diet drinks, tabletop sweeteners, dairy and baked goods.

What the evidence says. Regulators have treated it as safe for decades and the acceptable daily intake has not changed. Newer laboratory work on a breakdown product, and the general question of sweeteners and the gut microbiome, keep it under discussion, but that work is early and has not moved any official position.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted with an acceptable daily intake in all three regions.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA. Full entry for E955

E621 Monosodium glutamate
Flavour enhancer No real concern strong evidence

What it is. The sodium salt of glutamate, an amino acid found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and mushrooms.

Why it is used. Boosts savoury, umami flavour in stocks, crisps, ready meals and sauces.

What the evidence says. The old idea of MSG causing headaches and flushing, once called Chinese restaurant syndrome, has not held up in controlled trials. Regulators worldwide treat it as safe at normal intake. A genuinely useful example of a feared additive that the evidence exonerates.

Regulatory status UK Permitted EU Permitted US Permitted

Permitted and classed as safe. Adds to total sodium, so it counts towards salt if a product uses a lot.

Assessed against EFSA, JECFA, US FDA. Full entry for E621

Also on the label, not assessed here yet

  • E150C Ammonia caramel colour
  • E150D Sulphite ammonia caramel colour
  • E270 Lactic acid acidity regulator
  • E392 Extracts of rosemary antioxidant
  • E450 Diphosphates raising agent
  • E500 Sodium carbonates raising agent
  • E627 Disodium guanylate flavour enhancer
  • E631 Disodium inosinate flavour enhancer
  • E635 Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides flavour enhancer

Names and jobs come from the register of additives permitted in Great Britain, which we have not finished transcribing: a code shown without a name is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that it is unapproved. Naming one is not grading it either. Full detail appears only where we have an assessment against a named authority, so all of this describes our coverage rather than these additives. Most are common and low concern.

Ingredients

Bun Filling: Beef (45%), Spring Onions, Onion, Rapeseed Oil, Ginger, Sweet Bean Paste(Contains Water, Wheat Flour, Soybean(SOY), Salt, Preservative(E202)), Light Soy Sauce (Contains Water, Soybeans(Soy), Salt, Wheat (Gluten), Flavour Enhancer(E621), Wheat (Gluten) Flour, Rice, Flavour Enhancer(E635,E631) Colourant (E150d) Preservative (E211) ,Sweetener (E955)), Dark SOY Sauce (Contains Water, Salt, Soybean(SOY) Meal , Soybeans(SOY), WHEAT(Gluten) Flour,Sugar), Chicken Powder (Contains Lactose(MILK),Salt, Flavour Enhancers (E621,E631,E627),Maltodextrin,Mineral Salt (Potassium), Chicken, Modified Corn Starch, Palm Fat ,Sugar, Yeast Extract, Chicken Fat ,Flavourings ( Contain EGG),Chicken Extract, Potato Starch, Acid(Lactic Acid), Antioxidant ( Extracts Of Rosemary), Colour (E150c)), White Pepper, Chilli Powder. Bun Casing: Wheat Flour (WHEAT) (30%), Water, Yeast, Baking Powder (Contains Disodium Dihydrogen Diphosphate, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate, WHEAT Flour), Vegetable Shortening, Sugar.

As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.

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